Best type of Hummingbird feeder
I know it can be overwhelming when choosing a Hummingbird feeder, but as you will find out, its the simple saucer shape Hummingbird feeder that comes out on top.
Saucer Hummingbird feeders are the best type of nectar-filled devices on the market today; its mostly being leak-free, there's potential for a featured ant moat along with a simple steel rod to hang. Easy to open with a screw or pop off technique, yet there's no complicated functionality to get used to.
Certainly all types of Hummingbird feeders can be found on the market to day, so it can be difficult to find one that suites your needs and budget.
Well, let me tell you with absolutely certainty - the saucer style Hummingbird feeder is the best type of Hummingbird feeder - including a very similar Oriole feeder, available to buy.
Features include a 4 to 16 ounce capacity dish to store the sugar water in with no possible way it can leak, unless the feeder is tilted or allowed to lean.
Saucer Hummingbird feeders can be nicely balanced in its suspended position thanks to a solid steel rod connected to the center.
At the center of a saucer Hummingbird feeder can include an installed ant moat that is an optional feature, although I do recommend you buy the saucer type Hummingbird feeder with an ant moat included... to save you insect issues later. In addition, make sure you can deter bees with bee guards attached to each port well on the saucer feeder.
Hummingbird feeders don't always have to hang as Hummers can visit one if its placed on a table top or deck railing within your yard.
Saucer Hummingbird feeders will allow you to put this feeder anywhere there's a flat surface, without fear of it tipping over while in use by feeding Hummingbirds.
Why else you'll find the saucer Hummingbird feeder type to be one of the better models, is that with nectar stored in its basic dish, there's no likelihood of leakages that are usually present in inverted style nectar feeders.
Proof how much I prefer the saucer type Hummingbird feeder, is apparent in my favorite kind for an Oriole feeder; these saucer style bird feeders characteristics are proven in both but very different quality nectar feeders for Orioles or Hummingbirds.
Saucer type Hummingbird feeder
What is my best type of Hummingbird feeder has to be the saucer style feeder, due to mostly its unobstructed views and accessibility for Hummingbirds.
On your part your bound to benefit with a flat top saucer Hummingbird feeder, as you can observe any Hummer hovering or perching on any perch at 360 degrees - in spite of the location anywhere in your yard or house where you observe Hummingbirds.
With a Hummingbird feeder suspended on a bird feeder pole at approximately 4-6 feet off the ground, this will provide you an unhindered view at a standing position.
If said Hummingbird feeder was the inverted or tall nectar reservoir style Hummingbird feeder, then unfortunately Hummingbirds feeding behind this nectar bottle will become obscured - as your view will be obstructed with Hummers feeding on the opposite side.
Saucer type Hummingbird feeders will guarantee unobstructed viewing at all times, as you never miss a perched or hovering Hummer on this kind of nectar feeder.
With the very best saucer Hummingbird feeders, do be sure it can be hung off a 8 inch or so steel rod to stabilize it has it hangs.
Where this metal rod is connected to the center of the saucer Hummingbird feeder right in the center, verify its surrounded in a pre-installed ant moat. Hummingbird feeders attract ants from far and wide, thus an ant moat already installed can save you time and money while avoiding the need to buy an ant moat to suspend this feeder on later.
Glass made is sustainable
I will say most types of saucer Hummingbird feeders - I and will say there's a ton of them to shop for - are made in a clear plastic dish that stores the homemade nectar, of which they will be cheaper, more widely available, while fitting in with your needs.
What I might add is, I do prefer to utilize a made in glass Hummingbird feeder if I can, regardless of what type, in an effort to keep the nectar storage clear.
Sugar water stored in the saucer dish can corrode the interior dish thus it will show to mist over with the nectar soon becoming obscured.
Sugar in the homemade nectar will do that and really there isn't much you can do about it over the months or years to come.
What you can do then to avoid the misting over process seen only on a plastic saucer dish interior, is to favor the best type of saucer Hummingbird feeder in glass.
Made in glass Hummingbird feeders are easier to clean with a simple dish soap wash and are sure better to maintain with no visible signs of the interior corroding.
Glass Hummingbird feeders are far more sustainable than its plastic counterpart and therefore its bound to last for many more years to come.
I promise you though if you prefer a plastic saucer style Hummingbird feeder as a matter of affordability and accessibility, then go ahead as there's still life in a plastic feeder, with a plastic Hummingbird feeder still safe to use for Hummers.
Made to be hung type
Naturally any Hummingbird feeder you buy will be made to be suspended, off a bird feeding station pole or a similar Shepherd's hook.
What I will ask you to do when prioritizing a saucer type Hummingbird feeder with my recommendation - is to be sure the feeder can be suspended with use of a 8 inch long or so metal rod.
How up to 90% of saucer style Hummingbird feeders available on the market today will be made, is with a metal rod attached. Its just that I want you to avoid a saucer Hummingbird feeder that is made with a chain or an alternative technique.
With a simple rod that connects to the center of all saucer Hummingbird feeders, you can then be sure there's an ant moat installed.
Hummingbird feeders will attract ants in due course and so with an ant moat this is the only method to stop ants on their way to access the sugary water via the exposed port wells on top of the saucer.
Bonus of a solid metal rod used to hook over on the bird feeder pole is it will prevent the Hummingbird spinning as it hangs.
Minimum 4 port wells
Now that I have established my best all time Hummingbird feeder is the saucer kind, let's not forget about Hummingbird feeding capacity.
What you must know about Hummingbird feeders that will apply to most models, is that every model is far smaller than you can imagine. Hummingbirds are the smallest common backyard birds, thus their feeder doesn't need to be that much bigger.
With that in mind its vitally important you buy the Hummingbird feeder not necessary based on nectar capacity - that is always measured in ounces - but how many port wells are made available on the saucer Hummingbird feeder you intend to buy.
Hummingbird feeders will have a minimum of 4 port wells fixed to your Hummingbird feeder which will mean only four Hummers can feed at the same time.
If your yard is full of thirsty Hummingbirds eager to store up on your energy solution, then open up the feeder to more Hummers at the same time - with 8 to 12 port wells mounted to your preferred saucer style feeder.
Hummingbirds can be seen to patiently wait until their turn, as they hover close to the port well they intend to use as soon as the Hummer in front of them moves on.
Hummers can be protective on a nectar-filled feeder and therefore its important to stop potential fighting by keeping the feeder accessible with more port well spaces.
Installed perches better than none
With your chosen saucer type Hummingbird feeder featuring up to 8 or 12 port wells along with an ant moat already featured in the middle of the top side - finally you must think about available perches.
Saucer style Hummingbird feeders will be made in three ways; first, there will be a perch installed adjacent to each available port well; secondly, the perch could be a complete buy useful 360 degree halo perch; thirdly, it could be a perch-less Hummingbird feeder that will rely on hovering Hummingbirds only.
Now, I don't want you to rely on a perch-less Hummingbird feeder as I believe it can reduce the Hummingbirds who use it.
With no perches available, it will also be hard for hovering Hummingbirds to access the nectar in windy conditions.
With that, Hummingbirds like to perch thus any available perch will only benefit them as they need to rest, and will find resting on the feeder to be of convenience.
Summary
Without a doubt in my mind I believe what is the best type of Hummingbird feeder, to be the 'saucer style' nectar-filled Hummingbird feeders, for many reasons.
Why I prefer the saucer Hummingbird feeder versus the inverted/tower Hummingbird feeder style is due to its unobstructed container that stores the nectar - as you'll miss feeding Hummingbirds hidden behind this upside down bottle style reservoir.
Not so with a saucer type Hummingbird feeder because its a flat top disc shape feeder that will allow you to observe feeding Hummers all around this saucer.
In the middle of the top side of this saucer can be an ant moat already molded into the saucer, which I recommend. Any lump visible on the saucer is there to allow rain to run off, to stop any build up of water.
Saucer Hummingbird feeders are quite simple but very easy to manage. To open, the top side screws open or pops off, all while the nectar only fills to the top of the dish which means this type of Hummingbird feeder is less likely to leak.
Hummingbird feeders made in plastic do have a knack of misting over in the once clear plastic nectar reservoir, and can be avoided if prioritizing a sustainable made in glass Hummingbird feeder.
Saucer Hummingbird feeders can be suspended on a solid steel rod, yet this feeder can safely be placed on a surface due to its wide flat bottom.
Depending on how busy your yard is with Hummers, you can go for the smallest capacity Hummingbird feeder with a minimum of 4 port wells - or step it up with 8 to 12 port wells for a larger capacity Hummingbird feeder.
I will always recommend you buy this saucer Hummingbird feeder with perches included, as you don't want to force Hummers to always hover when they feed.
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